The Marriage Charm (Bliss County 2) by Linda Lael Miller

recovered from the wedding yet?”
    “I’m fine.” He wasn’t exactly thrilled at the question. Had he been so obviously rattled by the whole best man routine? He liked to think he was pretty even-keeled and that he kept his feelings to himself. But then again, they’d known each other a long time.
    “I’m glad,” she said cheerfully. “By the way, after this weekend shift, I’m off tomorrow. See you Tuesday.”
    “See you then.” He pushed a button and shoved the phone back into his pocket, wishing it was the Old West, when a man could find some space from his problems, not walk around with cell phones that could reach him anywhere. However, he was sensible enough to know that was an illusion. Problems were non-negotiable and they existed no matter what.
    Problem one on his horizon: a very sexy blonde. The judge limped in a distant second.
    Three more fence posts to go. Good. He wanted to go back to the house so tired he’d just sit on the porch and watch the sunset before he fell into bed.
    His only consolation was that he had two pieces of cheesecake to eat.

CHAPTER SIX
    W AS IT EMBARRASSING to duck behind a display of turnips in the produce aisle?
    Melody was going to guess the answer to that one was a hands-down yes.
    But there she was, lurking in turnip land just because she caught a glimpse of a tall, dark-haired man whose profile was so achingly familiar she would swear it was indelibly etched in her brain. Had she been thinking about anything but him since the morning after the wedding?
    Um, no. The commissioned piece was going nowhere fast.
    Spence looked over the tomatoes, haphazardly picked absolutely the wrong one in her opinion and moved on down to the lettuce. He didn’t show much judgment there, either, tossing a bag of prewashed greens into his basket.
    It had been nearly a week now, and she was still trying to sort things out.
    Just her luck, when she straightened and tried to slink away, he turned at exactly the right moment and spotted her.
    Brazen it out, you big yellow-bellied coward .
    She said, “Oh, hi. Grocery shopping?”
    That was brilliant.
    His mouth twitched. “Nope. Looking for a used car. You?”
    “I needed some...” She refused to say turnips, even though they were handy. Instead, in her sheer genius mode, she chose, “...stuff.”
    That was when she decided that if there was an award for world’s lamest person, she’d have a statue to set on the mantel next to the cats. Good job.
    His blue eyes held such a look of amusement that she felt a flush move up her neck and into her cheeks. He said conversationally, “Luckily for you, they do have stuff here.”
    It was time to regain at least some of her composure. Melody squared her shoulders. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
    “We live in the same town.”
    “I’m aware of that,” she muttered. He sounded so infuriatingly reasonable. She grabbed a produce bag and tossed in a few turnips, just for show. Her grandmother used to mash them with butter and some lemon pepper, and they were quite tasty. She could probably use the fiber, right?
    “You look good.” There was a subtle sensual edge to the compliment.
    So did he in his usual worn jeans and denim shirt. He always seemed in need of a haircut, but he managed to pull it off. She felt grateful that she’d taken the time to put on a sundress and some strappy sandals—no heels—before she ventured out in public.
    “See you around.” He turned abruptly and walked away.
    Left with her plebeian veggies, she watched him move. He had the long-legged gait of a true cowboy, and his wide shoulders drew the eye. He tipped his hat at an elderly lady as he passed, and Melody could only describe the woman’s reaction as simpering, although she’d never quite understood the definition of that word before.
    Enough .
    She needed cat food—no forgiveness there if she ran short—and she picked up some chicken breasts and spinach for a salad, and then on a whim, chose